What are the definitions of “write off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Destroy a car in an accident.
He WROTE the car OFF in an accident on the motorway.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “write off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb write off is to completely destroy a car in an accident. It means that the car is so damaged that it cannot be repaired or is not worth repairing.
What are the different verb forms of “write off”?
| Root Verb | write off |
| Third Person Singular Present | writes off |
| Present Participle | writing off |
| Simple Past | wrote off |
| Past Participle | written off |
Example
She wrote off her car in a terrible accident.
Example
He writes off cars for a living as a stunt driver.
Example
They are writing off their old car after the crash.
Example
He wrote off his car in a collision last week.
Example
The car was written off after the accident.
What kind of phrasal verb is “write off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“write off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She wrote off her car in a terrible accident.
Example
He wrote his car off in a collision last week.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“write off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She wrote off her car in a terrible accident.
Example
He wrote his car off in a collision last week.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “write off”?
Write off a debt
To cancel a debt because it is unlikely to be paid or collected.
Example
The bank decided to write off the unpaid loans as a loss.
Write off an asset
To reduce the value of an asset in accounting records, often due to depreciation or obsolescence.
Example
The company wrote off the outdated equipment as a business expense.
Write someone/something off
To dismiss or disregard someone or something as insignificant or unworthy of consideration.
Example
Don't write her off just because she's young; she has a lot of potential.
Good things to know
Does “write off” have an informal or formal tone?
Write off is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in business and financial settings.
What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “write off”?
Synonyms
Antonyms
- appreciate
- repair
- fix
- restore
- mend
- recover
- value
